RABBIT AND THE MOTORBIKE
by Kate Hoefler
Illustrated by Sarah Jacoby
Chronicle Books
48 pages
ages 4 to 8
A timeless fable of the journey from grief to acceptance that will touch every reader: Rabbit isn't sure he'll ever be brave enough to go on an adventure. He's a homebody who lives in a quiet field of wheat he dreams of leaving every night. His world is enlarged by his friend Dog and Dog's tales of motorbike adventures. But one day, Dog is gone, and with him, go the stories Rabbit loves so much. Dare Rabbit pick up the motorbike and live his own story?
• A touching tale for those confronting loss and those who are eager to explore and experience the world around them
• Rabbit's bravery in the face of sadness will console, nurture, and inspire young readers
• Author Sarah Jacoby grew up wandering the woods outside of Philadelphia. She now draws for many people and places, including the New York Times, and she is the author and illustrator of Forever or a Day
• Illustrator Kate Hoefler received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan, where she studied as a Colby Fellow. She is the author of Real Cowboys and Great Big Things
Fans of Hungry Jim and Most of the Better Natural Thing in the World will enjoy the touching and meaningful storyline in Rabbit and the Motorbike.
• Great read-aloud book for families/children experiencing loss or heartbreak
• Books for kids ages 3–5
• Children's books for kindergarten–third grade
MY TIDBITS
Bitter-sweet longing mixed with hope glide together in this gentle tale about loss and reaching beyond comfort zones to ride with dreams.
Rabbit has never left his field, and he likes it there. Sometimes he feels alone. Quite alone. But dog comes by every day to tell him his tales about him and his adventures on his motorbike. Rabbit loves listening to these tales until, one day, they end. Instead, Rabbit is left with a motorbike and a wish he could hear the stories again.
This is one of those reads which pulls at the heart and offers dreams wing to fly. Rabbit is a careful bunny, and it's easy to like him. He's kind but feels a little captured. Young listeners can identify with him easily—everyone has things they would like to do but feel uncomfortable about really stepping up and doing it. So, when Rabbit dares to try, smiles will break out and it's hard not to feel happy right with him.
The loss of a loved one is another theme in this book. While it isn't clearly stated what happens to Dog, most young listeners will understand (others might ask, so be prepared for that). While their is a sense of sadness, the tale hits more on the empty spot Dog leaves behind and the constant reminder (and positive temptation) of the motorbike. It is a lovely way to help explore the feelings such a loss bring, but this tale is about more. It's about memories, living and repeating the entire cycle again.
And here they are...
The Illustrator...
Sara Jacoby grew up wandering the woods outside of Philadelphia. She now draws for many people and places, including the New York Times, and she is the Author and Illustrator of Forever or a Day. She lives in Philadelphia now.
The Author...
Kate Hoefler received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan, where she studied as a Colby Fellow. She is the author of Real Cowboys and Great Big Things. She lives in a quiet village in Ohio where she can hear the distant sounds of the highway.
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